In the past few years you’ve no doubt heard the term “speed dating,” the fastest way for singles to meet and greet eligible singles. What if you could find that in the business realm? If you are looking to connect with other innovators like yourself, here’s another great reason to sign up for the CoDev 2008 Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz.: Innovation Speed Dating!

Innovation Speed Dating is a brand new event for CoDev attendees interested in finding new connections for their own co-development and innovation efforts. It’s a structured approach to networking, ensuring attendees meet the people they need to meet, and designed specifically for CoDev08.

I’m chairing CoDev 2008, and I encourage you to get off the fence if you haven’t registered yet. CoDev is focused on presenting thought leadership and relevant case studies on open innovation, co-development and building networks of innovators to fuel growth.

Innovationedge and Venture2 are sponsoring the new Innovation Speed Dating event, which we’ve designed specifically for CoDev 2008 registrants, whether large company, emerging company, academic members or service providers. The event is designed to support a variety of connections’ opportunities, including:

• “company to company” networking for potential co-development or other collaborative opportunities
• “technology provider to company” networking for potential technology licensing opportunities
• “service provider to company” networking to match up company’s needs with service providers having a potential solution

Based on the collective preferences of all the attendees, we’ll create a customized schedule of 5 minute ‘speed-dates’ in multiple rounds in the same reception room at individual ‘stations’. It’s high energy, fun and amazingly effective at connecting you with the right people at CoDev08. Beyond the event, the online portal can be used for follow-up networking with connections of choice.